Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a new virus that appears to spread easily to others. It can cause serious symptoms and be difficult to treat.

SARS is a new illness that is causing concern among medical professionals worldwide because of its ease of spread, the possible severity of symptoms, and the rapid health deterioration seen in some infected patients. SARS has been fatal in about 4% to 6% of cases. Death may result from respiratory failure caused by damage to the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs.

The first case of SARS was diagnosed in November 2002. The initial outbreaks happened in China and Hanoi, Vietnam.

Cases of SARS were reported in more than 25 countries by the end of April 2003. In most countries reporting SARS, the cases appear to have been limited to individuals who had recently traveled to an outbreak area, as well as to their close contacts and healthcare workers. There have been no new cases of SARS reported since 2003. The most up-to-date information about SARS cases can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov.

SARS is caused by a newly discovered virus.

There are many families and subtypes of viruses. Scientists have determined that a never-before-seen virus from the coronavirus family is the cause of SARS.

Other viruses in the coronavirus family are common throughout the world. Illnesses caused by coronaviruses are more prevalent in the winter months. Pneumonia and the common cold are examples of illnesses that can be caused by a coronavirus.

SARS is most likely spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and another person breathes in the unseen droplets released in the air from the cough or sneeze.

How SARS is transmitted is not fully known at this time. Droplet transmission appears to be the primary way the illness is spread.

Touching an object that has been contaminated by someone with the SARS virus may also spread SARS.

Although it has not yet been proven, it is possible that you can get SARS by touching something contaminated with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus include doorknobs, elevator buttons, telephones, and used tissue.

Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water will decrease your chance of becoming ill from SARS, as well as a variety of other viruses and bacteria.

People with SARS are most likely to be infectious (able to give the germ to others) during the time they are having symptoms. Those who have been exposed to the virus but are not ill are not believed to be able to spread the virus.

Individuals who have symptoms of SARS are considered contagious until at least 10 days after symptoms of illness disappear. Those recovering from SARS should avoid contact with others until their clinician says they are no longer contagious.

There is no evidence that people exposed to the SARS virus who are not ill have the ability to pass it to others; however, scientists have not completely ruled out this possibility. The time between exposure to SARS and the onset of symptoms is usually 2 to 7 days, but it may be as long as 10 to 16 days. Therefore, health officials in some countries are encouraging those who have been in close contact with a SARS patient to avoid contact with others for 10 days after their last exposure to the ill person.

The first symptoms of SARS illness usually occur 2 to 7 days after exposure to the virus. The illness often begins with a temperature of 100.4ºF [38ºC] or higher. The temperature often increases and may be accompanied by chills. Later, a dry cough may develop Table 01.

Other early symptoms may include headache, body aches, and malaise (feeling generally unwell). A dry cough and mild difficulty breathing may occur soon after. Some SARS patients have also reported dizziness and diarrhea Table 01.

SARS patients may develop symptoms serious enough to require hospitalization. About 4% to 6% of SARS patients have died.

SARS can progress into serious respiratory illness. Ten percent to 20% of SARS patients develop respiratory failure severe enough to require a machine to help them breathe (ventilator). SARS pneumonia has been fatal in about 4% to 6% of cases. Death may result from respiratory failure caused by damage to the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs.

You are at risk of contracting SARS if you have had direct close contact with an infected person. An example of this is living in the same house as a person infected with SARS.

“Close contact” includes having lived with or provided care for a SARS patient, or coming in direct contact with the respiratory secretions or body fluids of a SARS patient.

Your risk of contracting SARS is increased if you have recently traveled to an area that is experiencing a public outbreak of the illness. Having close contact with someone who has traveled to these outbreak areas also increases your risk of SARS virus exposure.

The CDC has warnings on their website (www.cdc.gov) with current locations of SARS outbreak areas. Check the CDC website for the most up-to-date information about travel warnings and areas to avoid.

Closely monitor your health for 10 days following travel to a SARS-affected area. A clinician should evaluate any onset of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing that occurs within 2 weeks of your last exposure to a SARS-affected region.

When seeking medical attention, it is important to notify your clinician that you have been exposed to the SARS virus.

Alert your clinician in advance if you may have been exposed to SARS. Exposure to the SARS virus is possible if you have recently traveled to an area known to have a SARS outbreak, or if you have had contact with a known SARS patient. Close contact with an ill person who recently traveled to an outbreak area might also increase your chance of exposure to SARS.

If your clinician suspects you may have an illness caused by the SARS virus, special precautions will be taken to prevent transmission of the virus to others. Precautions may include isolating you from other patients, having you wear a surgical mask, and having visitors and medical personnel wear special protective equipment.

Your clinician may ask questions about past illnesses, recent travel, and other things that may provide clues to the cause of your symptoms Table 02.

You should tell your clinician about any symptoms you have. Report any recent travel (or contact with someone who has traveled) to a SARS-affected area. Your clinician will use this information to determine if you fit the criteria for a suspected SARS case, as defined by the CDC Table 02.

A physical examination is necessary if you are having symptoms of SARS. An exam may help your clinician determine the extent and cause of your illness.

Your clinician will listen to your heart, lungs, and chest through a stethoscope. Your clinician will also check your temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and breathing speed. The information gathered during your physical examination may help your clinician determine if your illness is mild or serious.

Chest x-rays may be necessary.

Some people with mild symptoms can be effectively treated without having a chest x-ray taken. However, a chest x-ray is often needed to determine the extent of your illness and to look for other abnormalities.

Chest x-rays may show a specific type of pneumonia, which may help clinicians diagnose SARS as the cause of your illness. Chest x-rays can also show complications of SARS, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

It is possible to have SARS even if you have a normal chest x-ray, especially early in the course of the illness.

Laboratory tests may help determine the cause of your illness, how your body is tolerating it, and what medications may effectively treat it.

Your clinician may draw your blood for laboratory testing. A sputum sample (mucus coughed from the lungs) may be taken to help identify possible medications to treat your infection. Swabs may also be taken from your nose and throat for testing. These tests can help your clinician determine the cause of your illness. Tests can also help in evaluating how your body is tolerating the illness.

If you are having breathing difficulties, you may be given tests that assess your lungs' ability to move oxygen into the blood. These tests include pulse oximetry and an arterial blood gas test.

You have a respiratory illness of unknown cause that started after February 1, 2003.

You have a temperature of 100.4?F [38?C] or greater.

You have symptoms of respiratory illness, or a chest x-ray that shows lung changes characteristic of a SARS illness.

You have been exposed to the SARS virus. Exposure could happen in the following ways:
You traveled to an area with an active SARS outbreak within 10 days of the onset of your symptoms (including an airport layover in an affected area).You've had close contact within 10 days of the onset of your symptoms with a person with suspected or confirmed SARS.You've had close contact within 10 days of the onset of your symptoms with a person who has a respiratory illness and who recently traveled to an area with a SARS outbreak.

The CDC recommends avoiding travel to areas that are experiencing SARS illness in their community Table 03.

Daily updates of the number of SARS cases and regions affected can be found at the CDC website: www.cdc.gov. The site includes recommendations for travel to foreign countries Table 03. Consult your clinician to discuss the most current risks of international travel.

Check the CDC website for the most up-to-date travel warnings available (www.cdc.gov).

Do your homework before you travel.

Check your health insurance to ensure you would be covered if you fell ill and needed medical transport back to the U.S.

Check with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to find out about healthcare services in the areas you will be visiting: www.travel.state.gov.

Be sure your vaccinations are current before traveling outside of the country.

See your caregiver at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel outside of the country.

Although there is no vaccine that prevents SARS infection, it is still important to tell your caregiver where you plan to travel so they can ensure you receive the appropriate vaccinations.

Pack first-aid supplies and take them with you.

Take a first-aid kit that contains basic medical supplies. Include a thermometer, disinfectant, and surgical gloves.

Take measures to help prevent contracting the SARS virus while traveling.

Wash your hands as much as possible while traveling. Use an alcohol-based antimicrobial hand rub solution for hand cleansing when soap and water are not available.

Avoid close contact with large groups of people whenever possible.

Know what to do if you become ill while visiting a SARS-affected area.

Seek medical care. Call the U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you do not know of any healthcare provider in the area. Notify the medical staff that you may have SARS before you go to the clinic so that they can take precautions to protect others.

Cancel or postpone any further travel.

Limit contact with other people as much as possible.

Wear a surgical mask when around others. If a surgical mask isn't available, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing and sneezing.

Adapted from: Advice for Travelers about SARS. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars. Accessed April 10, 2003.

People who suspect a household member may have SARS should take special precautions to protect themselves and the public Table 04.

It is important to protect yourself when caring for or living with a person who has SARS. It is also the responsibility of all household members to protect the public from the spread of SARS.

Frequent and thorough hand washing is the first step in preventing the spread of any contagious illness. Because of the highly contagious nature of SARS, isolation of the SARS patient is necessary during the illness and for at least 10 days after the symptoms have disappeared Table 04.

Common household cleansers are sufficient to achieve disinfection. Follow directions on the label, and disinfect often.

Soiled household waste, such as tissues or used surgical masks, can be disposed of like normal trash. Use gloves when gathering and bagging household waste. Always wash your hands after removing and disposing of the gloves.

Prevention and Screening

The CDC recommends avoiding travel to areas that are experiencing SARS illness in their community Table 03.

Daily updates of the number of SARS cases and regions affected can be found at the CDC website: www.cdc.gov. The site includes recommendations for travel to foreign countries Table 03. Consult your clinician to discuss the most current risks of international travel.

Check the CDC website for the most up-to-date travel warnings available (www.cdc.gov).

Do your homework before you travel.

Check your health insurance to ensure you would be covered if you fell ill and needed medical transport back to the U.S.

Check with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to find out about healthcare services in the areas you will be visiting: www.travel.state.gov.

Be sure your vaccinations are current before traveling outside of the country.

See your caregiver at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel outside of the country.

Although there is no vaccine that prevents SARS infection, it is still important to tell your caregiver where you plan to travel so they can ensure you receive the appropriate vaccinations.

Pack first-aid supplies and take them with you.

Take a first-aid kit that contains basic medical supplies. Include a thermometer, disinfectant, and surgical gloves.

Take measures to help prevent contracting the SARS virus while traveling.

Wash your hands as much as possible while traveling. Use an alcohol-based antimicrobial hand rub solution for hand cleansing when soap and water are not available.

Avoid close contact with large groups of people whenever possible.

Know what to do if you become ill while visiting a SARS-affected area.

Seek medical care. Call the U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you do not know of any healthcare provider in the area. Notify the medical staff that you may have SARS before you go to the clinic so that they can take precautions to protect others.

Cancel or postpone any further travel.

Limit contact with other people as much as possible.

Wear a surgical mask when around others. If a surgical mask isn't available, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing and sneezing.

Adapted from: Advice for Travelers about SARS. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars. Accessed April 10, 2003.

People who suspect a household member may have SARS should take special precautions to protect themselves and the public Table 04.

It is important to protect yourself when caring for or living with a person who has SARS. It is also the responsibility of all household members to protect the public from the spread of SARS.

Frequent and thorough hand washing is the first step in preventing the spread of any contagious illness. Because of the highly contagious nature of SARS, isolation of the SARS patient is necessary during the illness and for at least 10 days after the symptoms have disappeared Table 04.

Common household cleansers are sufficient to achieve disinfection. Follow directions on the label, and disinfect often.

Soiled household waste, such as tissues or used surgical masks, can be disposed of like normal trash. Use gloves when gathering and bagging household waste. Always wash your hands after removing and disposing of the gloves.

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